Spike for footwear having rigid portion and resilient portion

ABSTRACT

A spike is operable to be removably coupled to an article of footwear. The spike includes a first portion that is substantially rigid. The spike also includes a second portion that is resilient.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a spike for footwear and, moreparticularly, to a spike for footwear having a rigid portion and aresilient portion.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Many types of footwear include spikes that improve traction. Forinstance, many running shoes include spikes that extend from the soleassembly. The spikes can penetrate into the running surface (e.g., dirt,grass, etc.) for enhancing the wearer's ability to push off from therunning surface and improve his or her running performance.

In some cases, the spikes are removably connected to the sole of thefootwear. For instance, the spikes can be threadably attached to thesole. Thus, the wearer can interchange the spikes to configure thefootwear as desired (e.g., to include spikes of a desired length, width,material, etc.).

Typically, spikes are made of rigid metal. As such, these spikes canreadily penetrate into softer running surfaces. However, these spikesare unlikely to penetrate harder surfaces, such as pavement, and thewearer may lose traction on these surfaces. For instance, portions of asingle cross country race might be routed over grass, and other portionsof the race might be routed over pavement. In this case, spikes wouldprovide traction over the grassy portions of the race, but the spikescould prove to be a disadvantage over the paved portions.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A spike is disclosed that is operable to be removably coupled to anarticle of footwear. The spike includes a first portion that issubstantially rigid. The spike also includes a second portion that isresilient.

A method of manufacturing a spike that is operable for removablycoupling to an article of footwear is also disclosed. The methodincludes providing a first portion that is substantially rigid andproviding a second portion that is resilient. The method furtherincludes chemically bonding the first and second portions together.

Moreover, an article of footwear is disclosed that includes a sole and aspike. The spike includes a first portion that is substantially rigidand a second portion that is resilient. The first and second portionsare chemically bonded together. The first portion is made out of apolyether block amide, and the second portion is made out ofcarboxylated rubber. The first portion includes a threading forremovably engaging with the sole. The second portion extends away fromthe first portion and terminates at a second end. A width of the secondportion tapers downward in a direction from the first portion to thesecond end.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of shoes that include spikes ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spike of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the spike taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the spike according to additional exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the spike according to additional exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the spike according to additional exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the spike according to additional exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of the spike according to additional exemplaryembodiments;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic representations of a manufacturingtechnique for manufacturing the spikes of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a detail view of a mold cavity for manufacturing the spikesof the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, exemplary embodiments of articles offootwear 10 are illustrated. The footwear 10 can be running shoes, golfshoes, or any other type of footwear 10 without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. As shown, the footwear 10 can include anupper 12 and a sole 14. The footwear 10 can also include a midsole (notspecifically shown), which provides cushioning between the upper 12 andthe sole 14. Moreover, the footwear 10 can include one or more spikes16. The spikes 16 can be operably coupled to the sole 14 and can projecttherefrom. The spikes 16 can be short and narrow such that the spikes 16can readily penetrate into the ground, grass, dirt, or other surfaceupon which the wearer is treading.

In some embodiments, the spikes 16 can be removably coupled to the sole14 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Thus, the spikes 16 ofthe footwear 10 can be interchangeable with longer or shorter spikes,with spikes of different materials, etc. However, the spikes 16 could bepermanently fixed to the sole 14 in other embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the spikes 16 couldhave any suitable shape other than those shown in FIG. 1. In addition,the term “spike” is defined broadly herein to cover spikes, cleats, andother objects that project from a sole 14 of an article of footwear 10to improve traction for the wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, exemplary embodiments of the spike 16will be discussed in greater detail. The spike 16 can include a firstportion 18 and a second portion 20. The first portion 18 can beremovably coupled to the sole 14, and the second portion 20 can extendand project from the sole 14. In some embodiments, the first portion 18can be substantially hard and rigid, and the second portion 20 can beresilient (elastic, resiliently compressible, flexible, etc.). As such,the second portion 20 of the spike 16 can resiliently flex, forinstance, when treading on hard surfaces (e.g., concrete, pavement,etc.) such that the wearer is less likely to lose traction. However, therigidity of the first portion 18 can help the spike 16 to remainattached to the sole 14 of the footwear 10.

In some embodiments, the first portion 18 of the spike 16 can be madeout of polymeric material. For instance, the first portion 18 can bemade of a polyether block amide, such as PEBAX™, which is commerciallyavailable from Arkema, Inc. The first portion 18 can also be made ofnylon or nylon-containing thermoplastic material as well. Morespecifically, the first portion 18 can contain at least 30% by weight ofnylon. Also, it will be appreciated that the first portion 18 could bemade out of any other suitable material. The first portion 18 can have adurometer between 40 and 75 on the Shore D scale. In additionalembodiments, the first portion 18 can have a durometer between 45 and 85on the Shore D scale. Accordingly, the first portion 18 can have veryhigh hardness and can behave similar to metal, for instance, to ensureattachment to the sole 14.

Likewise, in some embodiments, the second portion 20 of the spike 16 canbe made out of polymeric material. For instance, the second portion 20can be made of a rubber, such as carboxylated rubber (i.e., a carboxylgroup-containing rubber). More specifically, the second portion 20 canbe made of a rubber composition which consists of 100 parts by weight ofa carboxyl group-containing rubber, 100-300 parts by weight of fillers,and 1-10 parts by weight of a peroxide as a vulcanizing agent. However,the second portion 20 could be made out of any other suitable material.The second portion 20 can have a durometer between 45 and 95 on theShore A scale. As such, the second portion 20 can be somewhat hard, butmore compliant than the first portion 18.

Furthermore, the first and second portions 18, 20 can be directly bonded(chemically bonded) together without adhesives as will be discussed ingreater detail below. As such, the first and second portions 18, 20 canbe manufactured in a relatively efficient manner, and the spike 16 canbe very durable. The materials of the first and second portions 18, 20and the portions 18, 20 can be bonded together according to theteachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,182, filed Feb. 21, 1991, issued Jul.21, 1992, and claiming priority to DE 3818151, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Specific features of the first portion 18 will now be discussed. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first portion 18 can generally include agenerally cylindrical base 22 with an outer surface 24. The outersurface 24 can include an engagement member 26 for removably engagingwith the sole 14 of the footwear 10. In some embodiments, the engagementmember 26 can be threading 28 such that the base 22 can be threadablyattached to the sole 14 of the footwear 10. It will be appreciated,however, that the engagement member 26 could be of any other type.

The first portion 18 can also include a flat, disc-shaped first flange30. The flange 30 can be centered on the base 22 such that the flange 30extends radially therefrom. The flange 30 can include a substantiallyflat first mating surface 32 that faces opposite the base 22.

The second portion 20 can also include a substantially flat, disc-shapedsecond flange 34 having a second mating surface 35. The second matingsurface 35 can face the first mating surface 32 and can be chemicallybonded thereto without separate adhesives.

The second portion 20 can also include a tapered member 36 that extendsaway from the first portion 18 and the second flange 34. The taperedmember 36 can be substantially centered on the second flange 34. Thetapered member 36 can have any shape, such as a substantiallyfrusto-conic shape, and can terminate at a second end 38. The width ofthe tapered member 36 can taper downward gradually in a direction fromthe first portion 18 to the second end 38.

Also, the second portion 20 can include one or more (e.g., two) keyingsurfaces 39. The keying surface 39 can be planar and can extend alongthe tapered member 36 perpendicularly from the second flange 34. Thekeying surface 39 can provide a flat surface against which a tool (notshown) can abut for drivingly rotating the spike 16 about itslongitudinal axis X during attachment and removal from the sole 14 ofthe footwear 10.

Thus, the spike 16 can increase traction for the wearer of the footwear10 by penetrating into a surface (grass, dirt, etc.). However, whentreading on harder surfaces, such as concrete, the spike 16 may notpenetrate. Nevertheless, the second portion 20 can resiliently compresssuch that traction is not reduced significantly. Also, the compressioncan absorb some shock loads to provide cushioned support on these hardersurfaces. Moreover, the second portion 20 can resiliently recover oncethe wearer begins to tread on softer surfaces again such that the spike16 can once again penetrate the softer surface. Furthermore, the firstportion 18 can be rigid and hard to remain attached to the sole 14 ofthe footwear 10 despite this resilient deflection of the second portion20.

Referring now to FIG. 4, additional embodiments of the spike 116 will bediscussed. Components of the spike 116 that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by corresponding referencenumerals, increased by 100.

As shown, the first portion 118 can include a base 122 and a firstflange 130, and the second portion 120 can include a second flange 134and a tapered member 136. In the embodiments shown, the second flange134 can be partially embedded within the first flange 130; however, inother embodiments, the first flange 130 can be embedded within thesecond flange 134. As such, the mating surfaces 132, 135 can benon-planar.

Referring now to FIG. 5, additional embodiments of the spike 216 will bediscussed. Components of the spike 216 that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by corresponding referencenumerals, increased by 200.

The embodiments of FIG. 5 can be substantially similar to those of FIG.4. As shown, the second flange 234 can be at least partially embeddedwithin the first flange 230. Also, an upper surface 287 and a sidesurface 291 of the second flange 234 can at least partly form the secondmating surface 235 of the second portion 220 of the spike 216, and alower surface 289 of the second flange 234 can be at least partiallyexposed from the first portion 218 of the spike 216. Additionally, thesecond portion 220 can include a second projection 240 that isintegrally connected to the second flange 234 and the tapered member236. The second projection 240 can be substantially cylindrical with anannular rib 242 thereon. The annular rib 242 can extend continuouslyabout the projection 240. A top portion 293 of the projection 240 canextend from a top end of the annular rib 242, and a bottom portion 295of the projection 240 can extend between a bottom end of the annular rib242 and the upper surface 287 of the second flange 234. The secondprojection 240 can project from the second flange 234 and through thefirst flange 230 to be embedded within the base 222 of the first portion218. Thus, the mating surfaces 232, 235 can be defined between the firstand second flanges 230, 234 as well as between the second projection 240and the base 222 of the first portion 218. Thus, there is increasedsurface area for bonding. Also, the rib 242 projects radially from theaxis to thereby provide additional mechanical fixation between the firstand second portions 218, 220.

Referring now to FIG. 6, additional embodiments of the spike 316 will bediscussed. Components of the spike 316 that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by corresponding referencenumerals, increased by 300.

As shown, the first portion 318 can include a first projection 344 thatis dome shaped and that is integrally connected to the first flange 330and the base 322. The first projection 344 can project from the firstflange 330 to be embedded within the second portion 320. Thus, themating surfaces 332, 335 can be defined between the first and secondflanges 330, 334 as well as between the first projection 344 and theinterior of the tapered member 336. Thus, there is increased surfacearea for bonding between the first and second portions 318, 320.

Referring now to FIG. 7, additional embodiments of the spike 416 will bediscussed. Components of the spike 416 that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by corresponding referencenumerals, increased by 400.

The embodiments of FIG. 7 can be substantially similar to those of FIG.6. However, the first projection 444 can include one or more ribs 446that extend radially therefrom. In the embodiments illustrated, thereare a plurality of ribs 446 having generally triangular cross sections;however, the ribs 446 could have any suitable shape. The ribs 446(ribbed mating surface) can increase the surface area of the matingsurfaces 432, 435 between the first and second portions 418, 420, tostrengthen bonding between the first and second portions 418, 420. Also,it will be appreciated that the ribs 446 could be included on the secondportion 420 and can be embedded in and bonded to the first portion 418without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 8, additional embodiments of the spike 516 areillustrated. Components of the spike 516 that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by corresponding referencenumerals, increased by 500.

As shown, the first portion 518 can be substantially similar to theembodiments of FIG. 3. Also, the second portion 520 can include thesecond flange 534 with the mating surface 535 and an outer surface 550that is opposite the mating surface 535. The second portion 520 can alsoinclude an annular ridge 552 that projects from a periphery of the outersurface 550 away from the first portion 518. Moreover, the secondportion 520 can include a central projection 554 that is centered on thesecond flange 534 and that projects away from the first portion 518. Theannular ridge 552 can continuously encircle the projection 554. Also,the central projection 554 can be conic or frusto-conic in shape.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10, a method of manufacturing thespikes 616 are illustrated according to exemplary embodiments.Components that correspond to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 areidentified by corresponding reference numerals, increased by 600.

Generally, the spikes 616 can be formed via transfer compression moldingand bonding the first and second portions 618, 620 together. As shown inFIG. 9A, a top, middle, and bottom plate 660, 670, 680 can be provided.The top plate 660 can include one or more (e.g., three) plungers 662that project downwardly therefrom. The middle plate 670 can include acorresponding number of openings 664. The openings 664 can be shapedaccording to that of the plungers 662. The middle plate 670 can alsoinclude feed-through passages 666 that are fluidly connected tocorresponding openings 664. The passages 666 can be much narrower thanthe openings 664. The middle plate 670 can further include mold cavities668 that are in fluid connection with corresponding ones of the passages666. The mold cavities 668 can be shaped according to the second portion620 of the spikes 616. The bottom plate 680 can include receptacles 672that are each shaped to receive and hold pre-formed first portions 618of the spikes 616.

The first portions 618 can be formed by conventional injection moldingprocesses and then positioned within respective receptacles 672 of thebottom plate 680. Then, the middle plate 670 can be mated against thebottom plate 680 (FIG. 9B), and flowable material 682 of the secondportion 620 can be introduced into the openings 664. Then, as shown inFIG. 10, the top plate 660 can be mated against the middle plate 670such that the plungers 662 push the material 682 into the mold cavity668 (i.e., the material 682 can flow into the mold cavity 668). Uponcuring, the first and second portions 618, 620 can be chemically bondedwith each other, for instance, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,182,filed Feb. 21, 1991, issued Jul. 21, 1992, and claiming priority to DE3818151, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Then, the plates 660, 670, 680 can be separated, and thespikes 616 can be removed therefrom. Accordingly, the spikes 616 can bemanufactured in an efficient, cost effective, and repeatable manner.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spike operable to be removably coupled to anarticle of footwear for providing traction on a first ground having afirst hardness and a second ground having a second hardness, the spikecomprising: a first portion that is substantially rigid, the firstportion including a base and a first flange, the base being configuredto attach to the article of footwear; and a second portion that isresilient, the second portion including a second flange and a taperedmember, the second flange being attached to the first flange of thefirst portion, the tapered member extending away from the first portionand configured to be exposed, the tapered member of second portionconfigured to penetrate into the first ground, the tapered member of thesecond portion configured to resiliently flex against the second ground;wherein the second flange is at least partially embedded within thefirst flange, an embedded mating surface of the second flange opposingan internal mating surface of the first flange, the embedded matingsurface being non-planar; wherein the second flange includes an uppersurface, a lower surface, and a side surface extending between the uppersurface and the lower surface; wherein the embedded mating surface ofthe second flange comprises the upper surface and the side surface ofthe second flange; wherein the second flange is partially embeddedwithin the first flange such that the lower surface of the second flangeremains exposed from the first flange; wherein the spike has alongitudinal axis; wherein the second portion includes a projection thatprojects along the longitudinal axis from the upper surface of thesecond flange; wherein the second portion includes an annular rib thatprojects from the projection and radially away from the longitudinalaxis; wherein the annular rib extends annularly and continuously aboutthe projection; wherein the projection and the annular rib are embeddedwithin the first portion; wherein a top portion of the projectionextends from a top end of the annular rib; and wherein a bottom portionof the projection extends between a bottom end of the annular rib andthe top surface of the second flange.
 2. The spike of claim 1, whereinthe first flange has a first width measured transverse to thelongitudinal axis; wherein the second flange has a second width measuredtransverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein the first width is greaterthan the second width.
 3. The spike of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond portions are both made out of a polymeric material.
 4. The spikeof claim 3, wherein the first portion is made out of polyether blockamide and the second portion is made of rubber.
 5. The spike of claim 4,wherein the second portion is made out of carboxylated rubber.
 6. Thespike of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes an engagementmember operable for removably engaging with a sole of the article offootwear.
 7. The spike of claim 6, wherein the engagement memberincludes a threading.
 8. The spike of claim 1, wherein the taperedmember extends away from the second flange and terminates at a secondend, and wherein a width of the tapered member tapers downward in adirection from the second flange to the second end.
 9. An article offootwear for treading on a first ground having a first hardness and asecond ground having a second hardness, the article of footwearcomprising: a sole; and a spike that includes a first portion and asecond portion, the spike having a longitudinal axis, the first portionincluding a base and a first flange, the second portion having a secondflange, a projection with an annular rib, and a tapered member, thesecond flange including a lower surface, an upper surface, and a sidesurface that extends between the lower surface and the upper surface,the tapered member projecting along the longitudinal axis from the lowersurface of the second flange, the projection projecting along thelongitudinal axis from the upper surface of the second flange, theannular rib projecting outward from the projection and away from thelongitudinal axis, the annular rib extending annularly and continuouslyabout the projection, a top portion of the projection extending from atop end of the annular rib, a bottom portion of the projection extendingbetween a bottom end of the annular rib and the top surface of thesecond flange, the second flange being at least partially embeddedwithin the first flange such that the top surface and the side surfacecooperate to form a non-planar embedded mating surface of the secondflange, the embedded mating surface attached to an internal surface ofthe first flange, the second portion being more resiliently flexiblethan the first portion, the first flange and second flange beingchemically bonded together to fix the first and second portionstogether, the first portion being made out of polyether block amide, andthe second portion being made out of carboxylated rubber, the base ofthe first portion including a threading for threadably and removablyengaging with the sole, the tapered member of the second portionextending away from the first portion and the sole and terminating at asecond end, the tapered member configured to be exposed, the taperedmember configured for penetrating into the first ground, the taperedmember configured to resiliently flex against the second ground, a widthof the tapered member tapering downward in a direction from the firstportion to the second end, wherein the first flange and the secondflange cooperate to define an exposed, ground engaging surface, andwherein the ground engaging surface includes a smooth transition betweenthe first portion and the second portion.
 10. The spike of claim 1,wherein the projection intersects and is substantially centered on thelongitudinal axis.
 11. The spike of claim 1, wherein the lower surfaceof the second flange and a portion of the first flange cooperate todefine an exposed, ground engaging surface of the spike, and wherein theground engaging surface has a substantially smooth transition betweenthe portion of the first flange and the lower surface of the secondflange.
 12. The spike of claim 11, wherein the second flange is embeddedwithin the first flange leaving only the lower surface of the secondflange exposed.
 13. The spike of claim 10, wherein the projection issubstantially cylindrical.
 14. The spike of claim 1, wherein the secondportion includes a substantially planar surface keying surface extendingalong the tapered member; and wherein the keying surface is configuredto abut against a tool for drivingly rotating the spike about thelongitudinal axis relative to the article of footwear.